The Thursday Night Club (2022) Movie Script
1
(gentle piano music)
There's a time
to bring together
Those who matter, those
we cherish, those we love
When we celebrate our
spirit and go further
Go beyond, go a love
We all can find
a united mission
We all can find
an elevated course
The ones that put our
hearts into service
It's the reason
- [Jesse] We've been
getting ready all day.
Tonight is the night my father
finally meets the
Thursday Night Club.
And yes, I realize
it's Friday night,
but it's been a long
time since the club
confined itself to Thursdays.
Ava, Izzy, and I
have been living
in this house since the
start of junior year.
So we obviously see
each other every day.
And Randy and Kevin
live together.
So there's that.
The club is really excited
about meeting my dad,
but they're also
worried that he might
be coming to indoctrinate them.
You see, since long
before I was born,
my father has been
doing Christmas projects
to help people in need.
They're the highlight
of the year for me.
But even though they tell
me how much they admire
what we do at Christmas, the
club has never joined me.
Ava says a project would
get in the way of her
becoming a global business
titan by the time she's 30.
Kevin always seems to
be working multiple jobs
and taking the maximum
number of credits.
Izzy is always in
a new production
or helping out in
someone else's.
And Randy, frankly, I don't
know what Randy's excuse is.
Too many discs to spin,
too many chips to eat.
And me, I'm Jesse.
I've never thought their
reasons for not helping others
held much water, but
still I love 'em all.
(soft rock music)
- This meal is just delicious.
I especially liked
the spinach dip.
- You liked it?
Wait, Jesse, did you
tell him to say that.
- No, it was wonderful.
It really was, everything
was really good.
- So, Pa, not to put you on the
spot in front of my friends,
but we really need to finalize
our project for this year.
- Yes, we do, mi hija.
I am considering the ideas
you and your brother proposed.
You know, I don't think that
even we can get the city
to turn the empty
government building
into affordable housing.
- Okay, that might have
been a tad ambitious.
- No, a tad ambitious is great.
Even moderately crazy
ambitious is perfect,
but impossibly ambitious,
even the Cabrals need
to understand that there
are some limitations.
- Okay, okay, but there
was some other good ideas
on that list, right?
- Yes, they were.
It was so good that it was
hard for me to make a decision.
However, if the
Thursday Night Club
would like to participate.
- This was an indoctrination.
- Sorry, Pa.
The club thinks that
you've come here
so that we could
gang up on them.
- Gang up?
Never in a million years.
I'm really just here to
spend time with the people
that have made my daughter's
college life a joy.
- Okay, but I actually
do want to hear
about some of your stories.
Is it true that you once
started an entire sports league
for immigrant children?
- Well, sometimes it's
hard for them to sign up
for things like little
league and flag football.
- I like the one about the
free babysitting co-ops
so young parents can
go on date nights.
- Date nights are more
important than people realize,
as Jesse's mom has reminded
me on more than one occasion.
- Hey, I have an idea.
Do you know how
many students are
currently suffering from
the burrito shortage?
- I didn't realize there was
a burrito shortage, Randy.
- There is if you don't
have the money to buy 'em.
- Well, maybe that's a cause you
should take up yourself then.
- Yeah, that's all right.
I got my calendar fully booked.
- Yes, Jesse has let
me know how all of you
are just so busy.
- Well, between my job and
my upcoming internship--
- And if an opportunity
presented itself
right now that you
just knew was not only a
good thing to do for others,
but it would vastly
improve your life,
you wouldn't have time for that?
- My reading pile is
already up to the ceiling.
- As I was saying, Pa.
- Tough group.
- Yeah.
- Okay. (chuckles)
(Father sighs)
I really didn't come
here to indoctrinate you,
but now that we're on the
topic. (clears throat)
What would it take to get you
to start charitable
projects of your own?
- Well, if you could maybe
create a 30-hour day,
then I'd be more--
- Time expands when
you're doing something
that's important to you.
You didn't know that, Kevin?
And there's a reason why
they call wasted time wasted.
- Yeah, hey, I don't
think anyone here
is exactly wasting
their time, man.
- How good are
you at Night Raid?
- I'm a master.
Why, you play?
- (chuckles) I rest my case.
- That's not entirely
fair, Mr. Cabral.
Sure, we blow off steam
from time to time,
but we're all working
at maximum effort.
- So you're working
harder than Jesse.
- Maybe, I mean,
it's not like we compare
our output or anything.
- Well, your output would
need to be awfully high
considering the time
she dedicates to school
and the time she dedicate
to helping others.
- Pa, can we just
take a breath here?
- You're right.
I can get overly
passionate sometimes.
Look, I understand how
focused you all are
in setting up your future,
and I applaud you for that.
But your future is about
much more than you.
It's about everyone in
the world around you.
And the only way that
future becomes a future
that you wanna live in is if you
take an active role
in making it that way.
We have a mission in
this world that comes
before being famous or
being business titans
or making people want to dance.
That mission is to be kind to
others, to lend others a hand,
to give them a chance to
reach for their own dreams.
- That is a pretty
big burden, sir.
- That's the thing, it isn't.
No one is expecting you to
save the world single handedly.
Even I realize
that's not possible.
But I can tell you
something real right now,
if you're open to it.
(somber guitar music)
You're gonna see a sign and
that sign is gonna point you
towards doing something that
makes a real difference.
The question is,
are you open to it?
(bells chiming)
- Don't hurt yourself.
Mr. Cabral is a
pretty cool guy, huh?
- Yeah, almost as
cool as my own dad.
- I don't think
I've ever heard you
speak about your father, Randy.
- Consider yourself lucky.
- Actually, hit me at the couch.
So what do you think of the
whole you'll get a sign thing?
- If the universe wants
to send me a message,
I'll hear what it has to say.
- The universe sent me
a message this morning.
It says, "If you don't get
that paper in on Monday,
"you could kiss summa
cum laude goodbye."
Think you could take this
football game outside?
- [Kevin] Hey, Iz.
You okay?
- I just got off the
phone with Jesse.
She's on her way home.
- [Kevin] What, why?
- There was a driver
going the wrong way.
Her father was hit.
(solemn guitar music)
He's...
He's gone.
(solemn music)
- [Mr. Cabral] You're
gonna see a sign.
And that sign is gonna
point you towards
doing something that
makes a real difference.
The question is,
are you open to it?
(water splashing)
- Just to caution you.
This is only what I was able
to pull together based on
researching you online
because my professor
wanted a draft of this
before I even met with you.
I could do so much more
with detailed information,
but even with what we have here,
I think you'll agree with
me that taking a deep dive
into your operations will
net impressive results.
- Yeah, um.
Does this pie chart have a
category for a bonus pool?
- It does, of course.
A small one only.
All my research indicates that
if the bonus pools are too big,
employees are more inclined
to prioritize their own needs
over the organization's.
- Well, people that work in
assisted living facilities tend
not to get bonuses as part of
their compensation packages.
- I see, but there is a way
to address that, of course.
Staff realignment.
You're not getting a
full eight-hour workday
from all the members
of your team.
If there was less
overlapping jobs,
everyone would have no
choice but to work optimally.
- So you're suggesting
that we trim the staff.
- It's the obvious
choice, isn't it?
- Well, it might not be
as obvious as you think.
First, everyone here needs
to work for a living,
and letting people go for a
few extra points in the profit
would create a great
deal of hardship.
And then there's the residents.
The reason why
they're happy here
is because our staff is
readily available to them.
If that were no longer the case,
then the mood around here
would change dramatically.
- There would only be an
adjustment period, that's all.
Ultimately, your residents
would probably be happier
with a facility that
ran like clockwork.
- In all of my experience,
I think that you
are forgetting something
in your calculations.
You're forgetting
the human factor.
- The human factor?
Why do people keep bringing
up the human factor?
Here's what I know.
Business is business,
and sometimes the human
factor needs to be secondary.
- I don't think that
the human factor needs
to be secondary in any business,
but whether that's
the case or not,
it is definitely never secondary
in a business such as this one.
Ava, when you called me up,
I just thought you wanted
to meet about volunteering.
I wasn't expecting a whole
PowerPoint presentation.
- I find that visuals
could be so effective
in getting a message across.
- Yes, however, PowerPoint
presentations aren't necessary
because volunteers
aren't involved in
our daily operations.
- So you don't think you need
help in the front office.
- Well, with a budget
as tight as this one,
we need all the help we can get,
but that, it's
really not the point.
Ava, the real difference
you could make
is by spending time
with the residents,
although it's never gonna
show up in an analysis
like the one you created here,
that's what we need most.
- Spending time with your
residents, doing what?
- Just being with them.
Having a simple conversation,
watching television,
playing a board game or cards.
- And that would make
the most difference?
- More than you
could never imagine.
Many of the good
folks here are...
They're at the end
of their lives.
And, well, they're alone.
- That's definitely
not what I had in mind
when I decided to do
my assignment here.
- Ava, you're a
bright young woman.
And I really appreciate
all of the effort
that you put into
this presentation.
But if you really
want to assist us,
it's essential that you
get to know the residents.
It would be more helpful than
you can possibly imagine.
You might even find it
helpful to yourself.
- Oh, thanks for your time.
- Good luck with
everything, Ava.
(somber band music)
(soft piano music)
- It appears the good
Lord has seen fit
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Yes, he has.
- He's always giving us
signs of his love, isn't he?
- Yeah.
- Do you think you could
do me a favor, dear?
- Sure.
- Would you mind sitting
with me for a few minutes?
I've been here by
myself for a while now.
- Sure, I'll sit with
you for a minute.
(somber music)
- I'm Mrs. LeCompte.
- I'm Ava.
(somber music)
(phone ringing)
- [Director] Hey
Izzy, what's up?
- Yeah, I was looking
for you in the theater.
So I have like four lines.
- [Director] I think
it's three actually,
but they're three
really good lines
and at least one big laugh,
which will be perfect for you.
- So all these years
of theater training,
and I'm the comic relief?
- [Director] Izzy, you
and I talked about this
earlier in the semester.
The program has an
unusually high number
of lead actors right now and--
- And someone needs to sweep
the floors at night, I get it.
- [Director] I love
your spirit, Izzy.
- Are you here to
see Rhonda too?
- [Izzy] Who's Rhonda?
- So no then?
- I don't even know
where I am right now.
I just needed a place
to crash for a minute
before facing the
rest of this day.
- Tough one, huh?
- Just one of those
times where everything
loses its meaning at once.
- Been there.
(upbeat music)
- I'm guessing by the briefcase
you're not a student here.
- I graduated a few years ago.
I work for the hospital now.
We're trying to expand our
registry of bone marrow donors.
So I'm here to see if I can
set up a table for a few days.
It's literally a
lifesaving gift.
- Yeah, I can imagine
how important it is.
Looks like you have a bit
of a PR problem though, huh?
- Because of the big needles
and the recovery time?
- The big needles, especially.
(both laughing)
- That's definitely
an issue, yeah.
But it's so critical that
we expand our registry.
All signs indicate
that we're gonna be
facing more cases than ever.
(bells chiming)
- What would I have to do,
if I were interested, I mean?
- Well, the first part is
easy and totally painless.
You just fill out a
donor application.
I have one in my bag if
you'd like to take a look.
- Yeah.
- There's an online
version as well, of course.
- Thanks.
- Then we'll swab
you, analyze the swab,
and put you in our registry.
- Swab as in cotton swab, right?
That wasn't code for sticking me
with something long
and pointy, was it?
- No, it's just cotton.
I have a kit in my bag if
you'd like to take a look.
- What happens after that?
- Well, if you match a patient,
we'll contact you to see if
you're still willing to donate.
If you wish to proceed, we'll
ask you about your health
to be sure it's totally safe
for you to donate bone marrow.
Then we'll schedule more
testing to see if you're the
best match for this patient.
Throughout the process,
you'll be one of several
people being tested,
so the chances of being
selected are about one in 12.
- It's like an audition,
except better odds.
I'm an actor, sorta.
- Actor, cool.
I guess it is sort
of like an audition.
Though we're not making
any value judgments
about who you are as a person.
Some people are
just better matches
in specific situations
than others.
- Yeah, I get it.
It's not like someone's
gonna analyze my swab
and say she doesn't have
enough stage presence
to be a bone marrow donor.
- I have definitely never
heard a doctor say that.
- So I can do this
right now if I want to.
- I wasn't planning on
registering anyone today,
but there's no
reason why I can't.
- Then let's do it.
- [Jenna] Hi, I'm Jenna Marelli.
I'm host of the TV show
Wake Up New Milford,
and this is my podcast,
Conscious Capitalism.
Welcome.
And today my guest
is Ray Sweeney,
philanthropist, activist,
founder and owner
of an international
company located right here
in the heart of New Milford.
Hey, Ray.
- [Ray] Hi Jenna,
great to be here.
- [Jenna] I'd like to
know how you decided
to structure your business,
to provide a percentage of...
- Bro, you really need to chill.
We got our whole
lives to work hard.
College isn't the place to--
- Listen, if I don't
work hard right now,
I may never have a
real say in my future.
- [Ray] Always believed
in doing good for others.
- I suppose you have
it all figured out
from your prone position.
- Oh, I do, my friend.
I do. (chuckles)
Got this monster gig at a
fraternity rager this weekend.
You do realize I'm
destined to be a famous DJ
in a few short years, right?
- I hope that's so for your
sake, but maybe you should
consider a safety net just
in case it doesn't work out.
- That is the safety net.
- Really, okay, so
what's plan A then?
- That's between me and
the state lottery. (laughs)
- I worry about you, Randy.
I really, really do.
- You'd be the first.
Of course, you've
got your master plan
all mapped out, right?
- You know I do.
And the internship that I'll
be starting this spring
semester is a big part of that.
- You're gonna nail that.
- I really hope so, man.
From what I hear, if an
intern really just knocks it
out of the park, it's
like a fast track
to a management position.
- Mm, you got this, Kev.
- Not if I don't
keep my grades up.
(notification bell dinging)
- [Ray] But the one that's
most exciting to me now is
we're always looking for
deserving young people who
are interested in business
and community so we can
support their hard work.
You know, after all,
Jenna, they're our future.
And we need to spread
as much kindness
as we can going forward.
- Huh.
- [Jenna] So true, and also...
- Look at that.
- What's going on?
- Rusty Bartlett died.
- Am I supposed to know
who Rusty Bartlett is?
- Rusty Bartlett signed this.
- Allegedly.
- I still don't know
who Rusty Bartlett is.
- There's no reason you should.
He was a second baseman who
had a couple of good years.
My dad sent me this
when he was trying
to winch his way
back into my life.
Idiot didn't even
realize I hated baseball.
(mellow guitar music)
You know, I haven't seen my
old man since I was a toddler?
When I was in middle school,
I actually managed to
track the bum down,
but he gave me a dozen excuses
why he couldn't see me.
Got sick and couldn't travel,
just started a new job.
The list goes on.
I think I told you my
junior year in high school,
he tried to get
together with me.
Baseball was part of that,
but I completely blew him off.
He had his chances, you know?
- Sorry, Randy.
- I don't need you
to apologize, Kev.
You're not the one who didn't
want to hang out with me.
- That's for sure, hanging
out is what we do best.
(somber piano music)
- Now, Rusty Bartlett's dead.
Rusty Bartlett, superstar.
- [Ray] So highlighting how
much we need each other.
- [Jenna] That is so true.
- Gonna put this back.
(somber piano music)
(birds chirping)
(somber piano music)
- [Izzy] I'm glad you're
back on campus, Jess.
- Yeah.
- I've been meaning to
tell you since the funeral
how beautiful the service was.
Your father had so many
people who loved him.
- I know, I mean, more than a
dozen people wanted to speak.
I'm just glad I
wasn't the one who had
to tell my Uncle Charlie
that he didn't make the cut.
- Wait, is that the one who
says "to tell you the truth"
at the beginning
of every sentence?
- Yeah, that's him.
- Your mother made a
good decision. (laughs)
Do you think you're gonna do
a Christmas project this year?
- Oh.
I don't know.
My brother and I
talked about it,
but it's really hard
to think about anything
like that right now.
- Yeah, I get it.
- Yeah.
- Your father would want
you to though, right?
- Yeah.
- What was your
favorite project ever?
- That would have
to be Puppy Palooza.
- Is that the one
with the rescue dogs?
- Yeah.
I think I was around nine.
So Steve must have
been like seven.
And we'd just gotten our
own rescue dog that winter,
and I was obsessed with
her, like really obsessed.
I insisted that she
sleep in my bed,
and I would put
bows in her hair.
I would even dress her up.
- You mean like sweaters?
- Worse.
Tutus.
I know, I know.
So when my dad
started talking to us
about our next
Christmas project,
all I could think
about was puppies.
I mean, my mom would suggest
something about helping people
find jobs, and I'd say
something about puppies.
And my dad would suggest
something about helping
feed the homeless,
and I'd still say something
about puppies, but.
I mean, they finally
got the message
because Puppy Palooza was born.
My dad found a shelter that
was willing to partner with us,
and we connected 50
dogs to low income kids.
And then we went to the pet
supply store and got them
to offer each family a year's
worth of food and toys.
And we went to the pet hospital
and got them to offer
their services for free.
- I can't believe you
got everyone to do this.
- Yeah, well we can be very
persuasive, and you know.
- Puppies.
- Puppies.
Yeah, exactly.
- I hear ya.
- So that November, Steve
and I just spent most
of our time decorating
dog collars.
And my juju idea
was nixed instantly,
which I was not happy about.
I was so mad.
But that Christmas Eve,
we rented out a van,
and Steve and I
stayed in the back
playing with the dogs
as we made deliveries.
It was crazy and wonderful.
And the kids were just so
appreciative, you know?
The only thing
was I found myself
getting a little sad
as the van emptied out,
when there were only
a few puppies left.
And I mentioned how hard it was
gonna be to let them all go.
And you know what my dad said?
- What did he say?
- He said, "Those puppies will
be with you forever, babe.
"They've taken permanent
residence in your heart."
- He was right, Jess.
It's something we
should all remember.
- I know.
I still miss them though.
- And I really miss him.
(gentle instrumental music)
- [Kevin] Light with
two sugars, right?
- Yeah, thanks.
I think I saw something
move over there.
- Randy, isn't in there, is he?
- [Izzy] I don't think so.
- Sometimes I can't tell.
You really think you
saw something move.
- Maybe it was just
my imagination.
I can certainly imagine
something moving in there.
- I've got to get him to
clean up his side of the room.
- Or maybe just seal it off
with plastic or something.
- (chuckles) Yeah,
yeah, that could work.
- I'm worried
about Jesse, Kevin.
- It sounds like
she was just so sad
when you saw her yesterday.
- It's not that.
Of course she's sad, how
could she not be sad?
What got to me was that
she somehow managed
to get the old Jesse out,
but then that Jesse was
crushed by her grief.
When have you ever known
anything to beat Jesse?
- It's gonna be a
tough road for her.
We just have to let her know
that we're gonna be there
for whatever she needs.
- Yeah, whatever she needs.
But you should have seen
her when she was talking
about the puppy thing.
She was so alive.
So Jesse, and then...
Yeah, it's gonna take
her a long time to heal.
A very long time.
But I think it would
help if we could somehow
convince her to do a
Christmas project this year.
- You gotta be careful
with that though.
From what you told
me, the projects just
remind her of her father.
And right now that just brings
her right back to her grief.
- Yeah, I know, I know.
(ringtone ringing)
Hello?
(solemn music)
Yes, it is.
I did?
Yes.
Tomorrow?
Yeah, sure.
What time?
Yeah, that works.
See you then.
That was unexpected.
- Someone leaving
you $1 million?
- Not exactly.
That was the hospital.
I put myself on a bone
marrow donation list,
and they wanna talk to me
about a possible match.
- Whoa, you would do that?
- It's a long shot that
they'd actually pick me.
Hey, don't mention this to
any of the others, okay?
It's probably not
gonna be anything,
but if it is, I'd
like to keep it close.
- I get it.
(cows mooing)
(Christian rock music)
(car door bangs)
(Christian rock music)
He's a gamechanger
Gamechanger, gamechanger
- Kev?
- Dad.
What are you doing here?
(Christian rock music)
- Is this what you do every day?
- I do whatever
they tell me to do.
- When you said you
got a job at a museum,
I was thinking, I don't know,
a gift shop or something.
- It's not a great
time to find work.
I took what I could find.
- Yeah, I know what you mean.
- What are you doing here?
Listen, kiddo, I came
to give you some news,
and I wanted to do it in person.
- What is it, is everyone okay?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, we're all fine.
It's nothing like that.
It's just, I just got laid off,
and with the economy around
here being like it is,
I don't think I'll be
getting a good paying job
in the near future.
- Okay.
That's not great news.
You're gonna find
work in no time.
I promise.
- Kevin, I'm sorry, but
I'm not gonna be able
to pay for your last
semester of college
and still have enough money
to keep the family afloat.
- Oh, well, um.
- You don't know
how much it hurts me
to have to tell you this.
I mean, your aunt thinks she
can scrape up a few bucks,
but it's not gonna be much.
We were always skating on thin
ice with this school anyway.
- If I'm not in school, I can't
do the internship at Apex.
If I don't do the
internship at Apex,
I'm gonna be painting
a lot of walls,
maybe for the rest of my life.
- Kevin, I am so sorry.
- No, no, I know you are, Dad.
- Listen, I gotta
get back to work.
I'm driving people around
to make some extra cash,
and I can't sign
off for too long.
(bells chiming)
But like I said, I did wanna
tell you this in person.
- Yeah.
Yeah, thank you.
I should get back to work too.
I certainly can't afford
to lose this job now.
(tense music)
- I'll call you tomorrow, okay?
- Yeah, yeah.
(tense music)
(clock ticking)
- Thanks for coming
in today, Izzy.
- Of course.
I mean, I thought about making
a run for Mexico, but then.
- Come with me.
I'll walk you through
the procedure.
(clock ticking)
(hands rubbing)
(computer keys clicking)
- You know, I didn't expect
this to happen so quickly.
- Well, in this particular
case, we didn't have a choice.
Did anyone mention that the
recipient is a four year old?
- Four?
No, I just got a call saying
I was a possible match.
And then I got another
call telling me all
about the potential
risks and side effects.
It was like listening to one
of those pharmaceutical ads.
I wasn't terrified
at all by that.
- Yeah, our legal department
makes us say all that stuff.
- Well, you know, if there
was even the tiniest chance
that one of my limbs were going
to spontaneously fall off,
I guess I would want some
advanced warning about that.
- I don't think that's
one of the side effects.
- I know.
I'm sorry if I sound
a little manic.
I'm pretty nervous about this.
- Understood.
Let me tell you something, Izzy.
Giving marrow is a
life saving gift.
You deserve enormous
amount of credit for this.
- Thanks.
I mean, I have the stuff,
I might as well use it.
Sorry, I'm gonna stop
saying stupid things now.
- I would be nervous
too if I were you.
- Does that mean I
should be nervous?
- Let me say that
a different way.
It's completely understandable
that you're nervous,
even though we've done this
procedure hundreds of times.
- Okay, let me have it.
- Okay.
So you'll come in and we're
gonna put you on an IV drip.
Then you'll be put
under anesthesia.
The procedure itself
is completely painless.
- I like the sound of that.
- After you're asleep, the
doctor will take a needle
and withdraw the liquid marrow
from the back of
your pelvic bone.
- That doesn't sound as good.
- Remember, you
are out, all of it.
- Right.
- And that's really it as far
as the procedure's concerned.
Any marrow that we take
out will replace itself
between four to six weeks.
Recovery times vary,
but you should be back
at school within a few days.
- Wow, so within a few days
it'll be like it never happened.
- I didn't say that.
You should expect some soreness
in your lower back for a while.
Most donors report three
weeks for full recovery.
- Oh, three weeks is definitely
longer than a few days.
- It might not be that bad,
but you should be prepared.
- I understand.
So you'll let me know when
you're ready to schedule this?
- We were hoping
to do it on Friday.
- Friday, as in two days Friday?
- This little girl, she's
been waiting for a while,
a dangerously long
while, actually,
which is why we
called you so fast.
You could not have picked a
better time to become a donor.
- Friday?
- If at all possible.
- Can I get back
to you tomorrow?
- Of course.
(sighs) I know this is a
lot to think about, Izzy,
but we are running out of time.
And if you turn us down,
then it's going to be
awfully difficult to find
someone else in the system.
- No pressure, huh?
- I don't mean to
pressure you, Izzy, but...
Well, maybe I do.
- And you're pretty
sure one of my limbs
isn't gonna fall
off spontaneously?
- Almost 100% certain.
We feel His spirit
And the power that
makes a blind man see
- Hey, you up?
- What's wrong?
- Did something happen
at the frat house?
- You mean, besides you
being a total no-show?
- I told you I wasn't
going to your rave.
I've literally
never gone to one.
- Yeah, well, for
what it's worth,
I could have really used
your backup tonight.
- Why, what happened?
- Not gonna believe this.
My dad showed up.
- Your dad?
- One and only.
- I thought you haven't
seen him in years.
- He said he's been
following me on Twitter.
- That's kinda weird.
It doesn't sound awful so far.
- Yeah, well, awful came next.
First he started
talking about wanting
to be back in my life.
Then he started giving
me more excuses.
Then he started throwing
shade at my mom.
And that's when
things got heated.
- How heated?
- He did enough that
I've been restricted
from ever DJing on
school property again.
- What did you do?
- What, thanks for giving me
the benefit of the doubt, man.
Doesn't matter, I'm banned.
Why's this kind of stuff
always happen to me, Kev?
- Trust me, you
really don't wanna
have a lousy day competition
with me right now.
- Oh, what, you have a bad day?
What happened, you got a A-
minus on a test or something?
- You know what, Randy,
you don't have the market
cornered on hardship, okay?
- Whatever, man.
(door bangs)
(mellow rock music)
(utensils clanging)
- [Kevin] What did you do?
- [Randy] Thanks for
giving me the benefit
of the doubt, man.
- [Assisted Living Director]
PowerPoint presentations
aren't necessary because
volunteers aren't
involved in our
daily operations.
- [Kevin's Father] Kevin, I'm
sorry, but I'm not gonna be
able to pay for your
last semester of college.
(somber guitar music)
- [Nurse] This little girl,
she's been waiting for a while.
A dangerously long
while, actually,
which is why we
called you so fast.
(somber guitar music)
(fork clangs)
- I'm thinking about
leaving school.
(somber guitar music)
(dog barking)
- Dear Lord, we need
to have a little talk.
I'm gonna be honest with you.
I'm terrified, and I could
really use a hand here.
I know I shouldn't be
thinking about myself,
we're talking about a
four-year-old girl here,
but the person at the
hospital really scared me.
Between the procedure
and the pain afterwards,
I think I might be a little
out of my league here.
Can we be straight
with each other?
I'm kind of a coward.
I mean, I won't go
on roller coasters.
I won't swim at the
deep end of a pool.
I won't even eat spicy food.
So to have someone stick
a needle in me the size
of a javelin goes a little
outside of my comfort zone.
And then the after effects,
if they're telling
me that I'm gonna
be a little uncomfortable
for a few weeks,
then they probably mean
I'm gonna be uncomfortable
until, I don't know,
Labor Day. (sighs)
But yes, there's
this little girl,
and she's in a lot of trouble,
and it doesn't sound like
she has any other options.
And obviously I'm supposed
to do this, right?
How else can you explain my
being in that same hallway
as the guy looking for donors?
That was a really big sign you
threw in front of
me right there.
And Jesse's dad
made it super clear
that we're supposed
to look for signs.
- But if you could just
give me one more just
to make sure I'm not
misreading things.
(bells chiming)
What is this doing in here?
Oh my Lord
- Good one.
How could I walk without you
Oh my Lord, you've
been by my side
Your love is everywhere
(women whispering)
(door creaking)
- And Mr. Johnson, okay?
All right, great.
Thank you so much.
Ava, what are you doing here?
You didn't come to blow me away
with another PowerPoint
presentation, did you?
- No, no, message received.
- Okay.
- Actually, I'm here
to visit someone I
met the last time I was here.
Mrs. LeCompte.
- Mrs. LeCompte, she's one
of our oldest residents.
How did you meet her?
- She was sitting by
herself in the sunroom.
- She was?
We don't usually
let our residents
sit alone in the sunroom, but.
I'm not sure how
she's doing today.
She has good days and bad days.
You know, it doesn't
help that her family
doesn't visit her very often.
Her children have
retired to Florida.
And her grandchildren are all
over the country, so I mean.
- That's sad.
- Yeah, thank goodness
that they were able
to house her in our community.
Follow me, I'll take you to her.
(hand knocking)
Mrs. LeCompte, I have
someone here to see you.
- Oh, fine.
I was just looking
out the window.
Come on in.
- Mrs. LeCompte, this is Ava.
She said that she saw
you sitting by yourself
in the sunroom the other day.
- Oh no, don't
think so, ngh-ngh.
But it's nice to meet you.
- We actually met
in the sunroom.
- Here, come sit
down next to me.
Look at how that
beautiful, bright blue sky.
It appears that the
good Lord has seen fit
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Mrs. LeCompte has
lived quite a life.
(women laughing)
- Almost two at this point.
Am I supposed to be
at work right now?
Is that why you're here?
You came to fetch me to take
me to my job at the laundry?
- No, Mrs. LeCompte, that's
not why we're here today.
(gentle music)
- It appears that the
good Lord has seen fit
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Sure has.
- Mrs. LeCompte, Ava
needs to get going.
So I'm gonna walk her out.
Are you okay?
- Yeah, I'll be fine.
- It was nice to meet
you, Mrs. LeCompte.
- [Mrs. LeCompte] Bye.
(guests chattering)
- And thank you again so
much for taking the time
out of your busy schedule
to meet with me today.
I really appreciate it.
- Oh, the pleasure's mine.
You know, I'm excited for the
opportunity to get involved.
- And I'm really thrilled
to hear that, sir.
I'll get down to it then.
Here you are.
- Thank you.
- So Mr. Sweeney, I come from
a very humble background.
You could even
say that I grew up
straddling the poverty line,
scraping the money
together to go to college
was a real challenge
for me and my family.
But we managed to make it
happen or, well, we almost did.
I'm sorry.
This isn't about me,
I'm sorry. (chuckles)
(Kevin sighs)
Recently, I've decided
that I would like
to establish a
college scholarship,
enough money for some
poor kid to go to school.
Not a handout, but a hand up.
Now, I know that I've
set a lofty goal here,
but with the right
supports in place,
I'm confident that we can make
a real difference with this.
- You know, I hear
what you're saying.
If I hadn't been lent a
hand when I was coming up,
I'd never be where I am today.
I'm blessed to have the
opportunity to give back.
- I guess I came
to the right place.
- (chuckles) I guess you did.
So let's talk numbers.
What are you
looking for from me?
- So I was hoping that
I could convince you
to commit a donation of $1,000.
(papers rustling)
- Well, you have
clearly put a lot
of thought into this project.
- I have.
- I'm impressed.
- Thank you.
- So I need to
know one last thing
before I give you my decision.
- Okay.
- I need to know
why, at your age,
you're doing all this for
folks you never even met.
- A very wise man
recently told me
that I wasn't doing
enough to spread kindness.
He told me that I'd see a sign
and that would make
my mission clear.
I've gotten my sign and
this is my response.
- Well, it's a good thing
you were paying attention.
- (laughs) It was
hard to miss, sir.
Look, look, look, I know this
is a lot to ask for, but--
- Hello, slow it...
Put my company down
for 5,000 a year.
- Wait, what?
- I'm committing $5,000
annually for five years,
and we can revisit
it at that time.
And if we need to, we
can adjust the amount.
- Mr. Sweeney, I don't
know what to say.
- I think you've said
everything you need to, Kevin.
And can I offer you a
small piece of advice?
- Oh, please do.
- So going forward,
don't sell yourself short
on your sales pitch.
This is a very
good cause, Kevin.
And I have to imagine there'll
be lots more business
leaders, community leaders,
all stepping up to
offer their support.
- Really, you think so?
- Well, if I have my say,
and I will, absolutely.
- Wow, I cannot
thank you enough.
- So a couple minutes ago you
said that you almost made it.
What'd you mean?
- I recently learned that
my family won't be able
to get me through
my last semester.
- Hmm.
- It means that
I'll have to punt
on a huge internship
opportunity,
and I might have to put
off graduation for a while.
- And yet here you
are giving your best
to raise money for other people.
I think that says quite
a bit about you, Kevin.
- I'm definitely not the
smartest man at this table,
but even I realize that there
are a whole lot of folks
out there who have it
much worse off than I do.
Like that wise man said,
"When you see a sign, you
have to pay attention."
(upbeat music)
- Yep.
I think that's something
we both need to remember.
(upbeat music)
Mm.
Come by my office next week,
I'll give you the check.
(Kevin chuckles)
(upbeat music)
(remote clicking)
(remote slapping)
- Either the anesthesia
still hasn't worn off
or this remote is
alien technology.
- It's the remote.
Others have suggested
that our remotes
are in violation of
the Geneva Convention.
How you feeling, Izzy?
- Like I've been stabbed
with a telephone pole.
- That should
change soon enough.
In about an hour or so, you
should only feel like someone
stabbed you with a mailbox post.
(both laughing)
- Oh, you're funny, which I
would normally appreciate.
Right now, not so much.
- Sorry.
I thought you'd wanna
know that the procedure
went extremely well.
- I'm glad to hear that.
When does the girl
get the infusion?
- It's happening right now.
- Wow, you guys do work fast.
Looks like I have some
praying to do, huh?
- Well, she's in good hands,
but your prayers
will be appreciated.
Izzy, I don't want you to
be alarmed by anything,
but some of your numbers aren't
where I'd like them to be.
- Are you looking
at my credit report?
I can explain.
- Well, your sense of
humor hasn't suffered.
But like I said, I don't want
you to be alarmed by anything.
Recovery times vary.
It's just that I'd prefer
to keep you overnight.
- And I shouldn't
be alarmed by this?
- You really shouldn't.
This is a pretty
invasive procedure.
It's just best if we
keep a close eye on you.
(Izzy groans)
Really, Izzy,
I think everything is
going to be totally fine.
- I believe you, doctor.
But if I can't get
this remote to work,
it's gonna be a very long night.
- Well, let me get
Javi on this for you.
(people chattering on TV)
(hand knocking)
(melancholic music)
- [Randy] I had a feeling you'd
be playing hooky today too.
- Yeah, I am.
I mean, it's not like
I'm getting anything
from my classes
right now anyway.
- See, I've been
saying that for years.
(melancholic music)
I just wanted to tell
you that I've also
been thinking about bailing
out of school, Jess.
- Oh, that would be a dumb move.
- What, and for you
it'd be a smart move?
- We're going through
very different
experiences right now, Randy.
I mean, I...
I never imagined
that emotional pain
could feel this
intense, this consuming.
And ever since my dad
died, I've just felt lost,
like I don't even
know who I am anymore.
And school, well, school
just feels pointless
because if I don't
know where I am,
how am I supposed to know
where I should be heading, hmm?
- What do you think your father
would say about that question?
(Jesse whimpers softly)
- No, maybe we're
both dumb for thinking
about quitting school.
- Well, you're dumb
about quitting school.
I'm dumb about everything.
My dad dropped another
bomb on my life, Jess.
He's such a loser.
- Maybe he just doesn't know
how to connect with you.
- It's not that hard.
- Really?
- All right, well,
maybe I make it hard.
Not that he doesn't deserve
everything he gets from me.
- Maybe he's not a monster.
Maybe he just doesn't know
how to do the right thing.
- Yeah, well, I don't know
that I can be that generous.
- I don't know
that you wanna wait
until it's too late
to be that generous.
- You know what, Jess?
You're a lousy friend because
a good friend would just
agree with me no matter how
little sense I was making.
- Okay, yeah, I'll take
that under advisement.
(somber guitar strumming)
You know, I think this
is the longest I've
ever sat in silence
with any of you guys.
What do you think that means?
- Maybe it's a sign that
you're evolving. (gasps)
(bells chiming)
(fingers snapping)
- A sign.
Ugh, why didn't I see it?
- Okay, you lost
me there, Randy.
- Okay, wait, tell me this.
Have you decided on
a Christmas project?
- Yeah, I don't think
that I'm gonna...
- No, no, no, no, yes, you are.
You need this and your
partner needs this.
- My partner?
- Yes, your partner.
That would be me.
Look, I just came up with this
idea, but there's no way I'm
gonna be able to pull
it off by myself.
- Randy, I don't know.
- Hey, your father would
want you to hear me out.
- Really, that's
such a low blow.
Okay, fine, you
have my attention.
- Okay, all right, so...
(Randy speaking softly)
(soft guitar strumming)
(somber music)
- [Girl] Pew, pew, pew, pew!
Poof!
Yeah!
Boom!
(somber music)
Then I start my mission,
the Glorg will rule!
- Shouldn't you be sleeping?
- Can't.
- I know what you mean.
Who are these guys?
- Whoever I want them to be.
Right now, this is Farkle.
She's a super hero.
This is Bletch,
she's the bad guy.
- I never trusted the Glorg.
- You've seen the Glorg?
- I heard you from outside.
So why can't you sleep?
- I got a lot going on lately.
- You want a little company?
- You're a stranger, right?
- Well, yeah, but I'm
harmless, I promise.
I can stay by the
door if you'd like.
- No, I can tell you're okay.
- Thanks.
(somber music)
(Izzy groans)
So I have an idea.
I'm an actor.
- What have you been on?
- Well, I've been on
stage a bunch of times.
- Have you ever
been on television?
- No, no, I haven't.
- YouTube?
- Well, no.
- TikTok?
- Actors do a lot
of different things.
And one of the
things that actors do
is something called improv.
- What's that?
- It's when a bunch of
people tell a story together.
Do you wanna try?
- Sure.
- Okay, so I need a
start to the story.
You wanna give me an idea?
- Alien's eating lunch.
- Alien's eating lunch?
Okay, so in improv, when
you get that situation,
you say, yes and
their waiter doesn't
wanna give them refills
on their neutron juice.
- Thirsty, must have
more neutron juice!
- Sir, the menu clearly
states no more refills!
- Must have more neutron juice!
- I am sorry, Mr. Farkle.
Is my waiter giving
you a hard time?
- Can't survive
without neutron juice!
- I got a call
saying you're killing
your customers again, Bletch.
I'm gonna have to write you up!
(girl giggles)
(laughs) And that's improv.
- That's really fun.
- I'm glad you thought so.
- I'm really tired now.
- You know, Bletch
changed his mind.
He said, when you wake up,
you can have as much
neutron juice as you'd like.
- That's nice.
(upbeat music)
(hand knocking)
- Hey.
Thanks for coming down, Kevin.
I appreciate it.
- Are you kidding, I should
be the one thanking you.
- So how you been?
- I've been okay under
the circumstances.
Better than a lot of
people, I suppose.
- Positive attitude,
I appreciate that.
This is the check for
$5,000 we agreed upon
to fund your
scholarship initiative.
- I cannot thank you
enough, Mr. Sweeney.
Your generosity is going
to make a huge impact
in so many people's lives,
and you're calling other
businesses on my behalf.
It's been a big help.
I think we might be able to
start multiple scholarships
because of this.
- [Mr. Sweeney]
Starting with you.
- What, what, what's this?
- I just selected you
as the first recipient.
- But I, I, I...
- That check will cover
next semester's tuition
along with any incidentals
that you might encounter.
- Incidentals, Mr.
Sweeney, I don't know if--
- Kevin, I can't tell
you how impressed I am
that you started this
charitable initiative
even when you were unsure
about your own future.
- It was the right
thing to do, sir.
- Yes, it was, and a lot of
people don't realize that.
So spread the word,
Kevin, without being
obnoxious about it.
People don't like that.
But people need to
understand the value
of spreading kindness.
- And Jesse's dad talked
about the same thing.
- I wish I'd had a
chance to meet him.
And I'm very glad I had
the chance to meet you.
You know, Kevin, if it
were a different young man
or young woman sitting
across from me,
I'd tell him, "Get out
in the world, earn it.
"Show me I've made
a good investment."
But I don't need to
tell you any of that
because I already know
you're gonna do great
things in this world.
And more importantly,
I know what a good
and decent man you're gonna be.
- I'm honored, sir.
- The honor's mine, son.
(gentle piano music)
(hand knocking)
- Mrs. LeCompte?
- [Mrs. LeCompte] Come in.
- Hello, Mrs. LeCompte.
I'm not sure if you
remember me, but I'm Ava.
Is it okay if I sit
with you for a bit?
- Yeah.
Sit next to me.
I don't know how much
time I have left,
but whatever it is, I'd be
happy to share it with you.
Take a look at that
bright blue sky.
Seems like the good
Lord has decided
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Sure has.
I heard you have
quite a large family.
- Oh, I do. (chuckles)
I do.
I've lived long enough that I
got to meet five generations
of my family.
And I have 40 grandchildren
and great grandchildren.
- [Ava] Wow, that's incredible.
- Yeah.
I didn't get married
till I was 30 years old,
which in those days was
like an old spinster.
We met at the North End Laundry,
right on the bank
of the Tuck River.
And we had five children,
four boys and one girl.
And my poor Robert passed
on from a bad ticker
and left me to take care
of five children by myself.
That wasn't very
considerate of him, was it?
Huh?
- That must have
been a lot of work.
- (laughs) We worked
hard back then,
until the hurricane of '68
that wiped out the laundry.
After that, I just took whatever
odd jobs that I could find.
- That couldn't have been easy.
- Well, I did what I had to do.
And I had four boys who
eventually joined the service.
For years, I had stars
hanging in the front window,
one for each of them while they
were protecting our country.
I didn't have much, but I did
volunteer, like you. (laughs)
Sometimes I even made up
food baskets for the needy.
- I'm sure everyone
appreciated that.
(Mrs. LeCompte laughs)
- My boys stayed safe.
During that period of time,
I joined the American Legion.
And can you believe it?
They made me the
first woman president
of the local AMVETS.
- Really?
Oh, wow.
- Yeah.
Yep.
- You really have lived an
amazing life, Mrs. LeCompte.
- (laughs) If life is an
endurance test, I passed.
But it's not, you know.
- Not what?
- An endurance test.
Life is a never-ending
series of choices.
So choose to be happy
at every chance you can.
- Thanks for that
advice, Mrs. LeCompte.
I will.
- You make sure of that.
- Yes.
- Okay.
- And thank you, I really
enjoyed our conversation today.
- Well, my door is always open.
That is, until the
good Lord decides
to come and take me home.
(soft rock music)
It's the reason
(zipper clattering)
- I'm so happy we caught you.
The front desk didn't
know if you had been
discharged yet or not.
- Yeah, I was just
waiting for the nurse
to finally come
with my wheelchair.
I'm sorry, have we met before?
- No, we haven't met, but
we know you very, very well.
You're the answer
to our prayers.
- I can honestly say no one
has ever told me that before.
- Oh, but you are.
You are.
- Do you need me to
call somebody for you?
- You must think we're lunatics.
We haven't introduced ourselves.
I'm Tracy Baker and this mess
over here is my husband, Don.
- Hi.
- Our daughter, Cameron, was
in serious trouble until,
until you saved her life.
- You're the parents
of the little girl?
Now, I'm gonna start crying.
I've never been able
to see people cry
without crying myself.
I once had a scene on stage,
and I was supposed to play
the heartless villain.
And then one of the other
characters started crying,
and I just broke down.
Not a very convincing villain.
- Cameron told us you
were a great actor.
- How did Cameron
know I was an actor?
Was that a part of
the screening process?
So if I had been an
engineering major,
she would've rejected me?
- She said she met
you last night.
She said she needed more neutron
juice, whatever that means.
- That was Cameron?
- She said she had a
great night's sleep
after playing dolls with you.
- Well, improv,
but she slept well?
- First time in weeks.
She just wasn't sleeping.
It was like those early days
when we first adopted her.
- Then that confirms it.
- I'm sorry?
- I'm not a great actor,
Mr. and Mrs. Baker.
I'm not even a good actor,
but I think I'm pretty
decent at some other things.
(upbeat music)
Thank Cameron for me, okay?
- We came here to thank you.
- Then things turned out
the way they're meant to be.
Praise Jesus, in heaven
Praise Jesus, praise Jesus
- [Cameraman] Jenna, we're
live in three, two, one.
(upbeat news jingle)
- We've come to
what is always one
of my favorite
segments of the year,
our annual Thanksgiving Eve
Christmas tree lighting.
And joining me now as he has
for the past several
years is Ray Sweeney,
one of the area's most
active philanthropists.
- I don't have to tell you this
has been a challenging year.
And I'd guess that for
many of your viewers,
this might have been the
most challenging year
of their lives.
I met a remarkable
group of college seniors
with a very important mission.
And it's a mission I
think we all should adopt.
(bells chiming)
- That mission is to
be kind to others,
to lend others a hand,
to give them a chance to
reach for their own dreams.
- So I came this close to
not graduating college.
- I was horribly frustrated
because I didn't get a
leading role in a play.
- I came to college here
with very big ambitions
and an even bigger
chip on my shoulder.
- My sign was my deadbeat Dad
turning up out of nowhere
to blow up my life.
- Okay?
- But it actually
turned out all right
because it helped me
realize how important it is
to think about others,
not just ourselves.
- I'm working with the hospital
to start a children's theater
workshop for their patients.
- We created a student
scholarship that will go out
to the students who are in
the greatest need and also
show the greatest desire to
contribute to our community.
- I worked with the college
to create a volunteer program
where every week
dozens of students
will visit our senior citizens.
- Our project has been
to launch a program
that helps fathers reconnect
with their children.
Because I learned that an
important part of kindness
is cutting other
people some slack.
- The Christmas projects
that they mentioned
have been a Cabral
family tradition
for before I was even born.
- [Jenna] And to keep that
tradition alive, Jesse,
the city council has voted to
establish a community
resource center
so that others inspired
by the Thursday Night Club
can create their own
Christmas projects.
And Easter projects.
- And flag day projects.
And I don't know,
September 27th projects.
I think we have a mission
to make every day sparkle.
And to do that, we have
to share with each other
and pick each other up and
come together to do something
incredible that we
couldn't do alone.
I mean, how amazing
would that be?
- Hey Jenna,
weren't we supposed to be
lighting that Christmas tree?
(upbeat music)
(soft rock music)
- [Jesse] That Christmas
Eve before we headed home
to our respective families,
we made sure that all
of our kindness projects
were fully operational.
Most important was what happened
on December 26th though.
That afternoon, we
started making plans
on a joint kindness
project for March 1st.
That's National Peanut
Butter Lover's Day
for those of you who don't know.
(soft rock music)
- Hi, I'm Mike Mushaw and
I play a bone marrow donor
registry executive in the
film, The Thursday Night Club,
but I wasn't cast
because I'm an actor.
I was cast because I
donated my bone marrow
to save the life
of a little girl.
It is the most rewarding
thing I have ever done.
Find out more about
bone marrow donation
and how you can
help save a life.
Thank you.
Our God is truth
Our God is love
Our God is everything
He takes the week
and makes him strong
Our God is everything
Our God protects us
Our God's behind us
Our God is beautiful
Our God
Our God
Our God
Our God, our God, our
God, our God, our God
Our God, our God, our
God, our God is Jesus
Our God is love
Our God is everything
Our God is Jesus,
our God is truth
Our God is
everything, oh whoa
Praise Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Our God is truth,
our God is love
Our God is Jesus, praise Him
Our God protects us,
our God's behind us
Our God is Jesus,
oh praise Him
Our God is truth,
our God is love
Our God is Jesus
Our God protects us,
our God's behind us
Our God is Jesus
Our God is Jesus
(gentle piano music)
There's a time to bring
together those who matter
Those we cherish,
those we love
When we celebrate our spirit
And go further, go
beyond, go a love
We all can find
a united mission
And we all can find
an elevated course
The ones that put our
hearts into service
It's the reason
(gentle piano music)
There's a time
to bring together
Those who matter, those
we cherish, those we love
When we celebrate our
spirit and go further
Go beyond, go a love
We all can find
a united mission
We all can find
an elevated course
The ones that put our
hearts into service
It's the reason
- [Jesse] We've been
getting ready all day.
Tonight is the night my father
finally meets the
Thursday Night Club.
And yes, I realize
it's Friday night,
but it's been a long
time since the club
confined itself to Thursdays.
Ava, Izzy, and I
have been living
in this house since the
start of junior year.
So we obviously see
each other every day.
And Randy and Kevin
live together.
So there's that.
The club is really excited
about meeting my dad,
but they're also
worried that he might
be coming to indoctrinate them.
You see, since long
before I was born,
my father has been
doing Christmas projects
to help people in need.
They're the highlight
of the year for me.
But even though they tell
me how much they admire
what we do at Christmas, the
club has never joined me.
Ava says a project would
get in the way of her
becoming a global business
titan by the time she's 30.
Kevin always seems to
be working multiple jobs
and taking the maximum
number of credits.
Izzy is always in
a new production
or helping out in
someone else's.
And Randy, frankly, I don't
know what Randy's excuse is.
Too many discs to spin,
too many chips to eat.
And me, I'm Jesse.
I've never thought their
reasons for not helping others
held much water, but
still I love 'em all.
(soft rock music)
- This meal is just delicious.
I especially liked
the spinach dip.
- You liked it?
Wait, Jesse, did you
tell him to say that.
- No, it was wonderful.
It really was, everything
was really good.
- So, Pa, not to put you on the
spot in front of my friends,
but we really need to finalize
our project for this year.
- Yes, we do, mi hija.
I am considering the ideas
you and your brother proposed.
You know, I don't think that
even we can get the city
to turn the empty
government building
into affordable housing.
- Okay, that might have
been a tad ambitious.
- No, a tad ambitious is great.
Even moderately crazy
ambitious is perfect,
but impossibly ambitious,
even the Cabrals need
to understand that there
are some limitations.
- Okay, okay, but there
was some other good ideas
on that list, right?
- Yes, they were.
It was so good that it was
hard for me to make a decision.
However, if the
Thursday Night Club
would like to participate.
- This was an indoctrination.
- Sorry, Pa.
The club thinks that
you've come here
so that we could
gang up on them.
- Gang up?
Never in a million years.
I'm really just here to
spend time with the people
that have made my daughter's
college life a joy.
- Okay, but I actually
do want to hear
about some of your stories.
Is it true that you once
started an entire sports league
for immigrant children?
- Well, sometimes it's
hard for them to sign up
for things like little
league and flag football.
- I like the one about the
free babysitting co-ops
so young parents can
go on date nights.
- Date nights are more
important than people realize,
as Jesse's mom has reminded
me on more than one occasion.
- Hey, I have an idea.
Do you know how
many students are
currently suffering from
the burrito shortage?
- I didn't realize there was
a burrito shortage, Randy.
- There is if you don't
have the money to buy 'em.
- Well, maybe that's a cause you
should take up yourself then.
- Yeah, that's all right.
I got my calendar fully booked.
- Yes, Jesse has let
me know how all of you
are just so busy.
- Well, between my job and
my upcoming internship--
- And if an opportunity
presented itself
right now that you
just knew was not only a
good thing to do for others,
but it would vastly
improve your life,
you wouldn't have time for that?
- My reading pile is
already up to the ceiling.
- As I was saying, Pa.
- Tough group.
- Yeah.
- Okay. (chuckles)
(Father sighs)
I really didn't come
here to indoctrinate you,
but now that we're on the
topic. (clears throat)
What would it take to get you
to start charitable
projects of your own?
- Well, if you could maybe
create a 30-hour day,
then I'd be more--
- Time expands when
you're doing something
that's important to you.
You didn't know that, Kevin?
And there's a reason why
they call wasted time wasted.
- Yeah, hey, I don't
think anyone here
is exactly wasting
their time, man.
- How good are
you at Night Raid?
- I'm a master.
Why, you play?
- (chuckles) I rest my case.
- That's not entirely
fair, Mr. Cabral.
Sure, we blow off steam
from time to time,
but we're all working
at maximum effort.
- So you're working
harder than Jesse.
- Maybe, I mean,
it's not like we compare
our output or anything.
- Well, your output would
need to be awfully high
considering the time
she dedicates to school
and the time she dedicate
to helping others.
- Pa, can we just
take a breath here?
- You're right.
I can get overly
passionate sometimes.
Look, I understand how
focused you all are
in setting up your future,
and I applaud you for that.
But your future is about
much more than you.
It's about everyone in
the world around you.
And the only way that
future becomes a future
that you wanna live in is if you
take an active role
in making it that way.
We have a mission in
this world that comes
before being famous or
being business titans
or making people want to dance.
That mission is to be kind to
others, to lend others a hand,
to give them a chance to
reach for their own dreams.
- That is a pretty
big burden, sir.
- That's the thing, it isn't.
No one is expecting you to
save the world single handedly.
Even I realize
that's not possible.
But I can tell you
something real right now,
if you're open to it.
(somber guitar music)
You're gonna see a sign and
that sign is gonna point you
towards doing something that
makes a real difference.
The question is,
are you open to it?
(bells chiming)
- Don't hurt yourself.
Mr. Cabral is a
pretty cool guy, huh?
- Yeah, almost as
cool as my own dad.
- I don't think
I've ever heard you
speak about your father, Randy.
- Consider yourself lucky.
- Actually, hit me at the couch.
So what do you think of the
whole you'll get a sign thing?
- If the universe wants
to send me a message,
I'll hear what it has to say.
- The universe sent me
a message this morning.
It says, "If you don't get
that paper in on Monday,
"you could kiss summa
cum laude goodbye."
Think you could take this
football game outside?
- [Kevin] Hey, Iz.
You okay?
- I just got off the
phone with Jesse.
She's on her way home.
- [Kevin] What, why?
- There was a driver
going the wrong way.
Her father was hit.
(solemn guitar music)
He's...
He's gone.
(solemn music)
- [Mr. Cabral] You're
gonna see a sign.
And that sign is gonna
point you towards
doing something that
makes a real difference.
The question is,
are you open to it?
(water splashing)
- Just to caution you.
This is only what I was able
to pull together based on
researching you online
because my professor
wanted a draft of this
before I even met with you.
I could do so much more
with detailed information,
but even with what we have here,
I think you'll agree with
me that taking a deep dive
into your operations will
net impressive results.
- Yeah, um.
Does this pie chart have a
category for a bonus pool?
- It does, of course.
A small one only.
All my research indicates that
if the bonus pools are too big,
employees are more inclined
to prioritize their own needs
over the organization's.
- Well, people that work in
assisted living facilities tend
not to get bonuses as part of
their compensation packages.
- I see, but there is a way
to address that, of course.
Staff realignment.
You're not getting a
full eight-hour workday
from all the members
of your team.
If there was less
overlapping jobs,
everyone would have no
choice but to work optimally.
- So you're suggesting
that we trim the staff.
- It's the obvious
choice, isn't it?
- Well, it might not be
as obvious as you think.
First, everyone here needs
to work for a living,
and letting people go for a
few extra points in the profit
would create a great
deal of hardship.
And then there's the residents.
The reason why
they're happy here
is because our staff is
readily available to them.
If that were no longer the case,
then the mood around here
would change dramatically.
- There would only be an
adjustment period, that's all.
Ultimately, your residents
would probably be happier
with a facility that
ran like clockwork.
- In all of my experience,
I think that you
are forgetting something
in your calculations.
You're forgetting
the human factor.
- The human factor?
Why do people keep bringing
up the human factor?
Here's what I know.
Business is business,
and sometimes the human
factor needs to be secondary.
- I don't think that
the human factor needs
to be secondary in any business,
but whether that's
the case or not,
it is definitely never secondary
in a business such as this one.
Ava, when you called me up,
I just thought you wanted
to meet about volunteering.
I wasn't expecting a whole
PowerPoint presentation.
- I find that visuals
could be so effective
in getting a message across.
- Yes, however, PowerPoint
presentations aren't necessary
because volunteers
aren't involved in
our daily operations.
- So you don't think you need
help in the front office.
- Well, with a budget
as tight as this one,
we need all the help we can get,
but that, it's
really not the point.
Ava, the real difference
you could make
is by spending time
with the residents,
although it's never gonna
show up in an analysis
like the one you created here,
that's what we need most.
- Spending time with your
residents, doing what?
- Just being with them.
Having a simple conversation,
watching television,
playing a board game or cards.
- And that would make
the most difference?
- More than you
could never imagine.
Many of the good
folks here are...
They're at the end
of their lives.
And, well, they're alone.
- That's definitely
not what I had in mind
when I decided to do
my assignment here.
- Ava, you're a
bright young woman.
And I really appreciate
all of the effort
that you put into
this presentation.
But if you really
want to assist us,
it's essential that you
get to know the residents.
It would be more helpful than
you can possibly imagine.
You might even find it
helpful to yourself.
- Oh, thanks for your time.
- Good luck with
everything, Ava.
(somber band music)
(soft piano music)
- It appears the good
Lord has seen fit
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Yes, he has.
- He's always giving us
signs of his love, isn't he?
- Yeah.
- Do you think you could
do me a favor, dear?
- Sure.
- Would you mind sitting
with me for a few minutes?
I've been here by
myself for a while now.
- Sure, I'll sit with
you for a minute.
(somber music)
- I'm Mrs. LeCompte.
- I'm Ava.
(somber music)
(phone ringing)
- [Director] Hey
Izzy, what's up?
- Yeah, I was looking
for you in the theater.
So I have like four lines.
- [Director] I think
it's three actually,
but they're three
really good lines
and at least one big laugh,
which will be perfect for you.
- So all these years
of theater training,
and I'm the comic relief?
- [Director] Izzy, you
and I talked about this
earlier in the semester.
The program has an
unusually high number
of lead actors right now and--
- And someone needs to sweep
the floors at night, I get it.
- [Director] I love
your spirit, Izzy.
- Are you here to
see Rhonda too?
- [Izzy] Who's Rhonda?
- So no then?
- I don't even know
where I am right now.
I just needed a place
to crash for a minute
before facing the
rest of this day.
- Tough one, huh?
- Just one of those
times where everything
loses its meaning at once.
- Been there.
(upbeat music)
- I'm guessing by the briefcase
you're not a student here.
- I graduated a few years ago.
I work for the hospital now.
We're trying to expand our
registry of bone marrow donors.
So I'm here to see if I can
set up a table for a few days.
It's literally a
lifesaving gift.
- Yeah, I can imagine
how important it is.
Looks like you have a bit
of a PR problem though, huh?
- Because of the big needles
and the recovery time?
- The big needles, especially.
(both laughing)
- That's definitely
an issue, yeah.
But it's so critical that
we expand our registry.
All signs indicate
that we're gonna be
facing more cases than ever.
(bells chiming)
- What would I have to do,
if I were interested, I mean?
- Well, the first part is
easy and totally painless.
You just fill out a
donor application.
I have one in my bag if
you'd like to take a look.
- Yeah.
- There's an online
version as well, of course.
- Thanks.
- Then we'll swab
you, analyze the swab,
and put you in our registry.
- Swab as in cotton swab, right?
That wasn't code for sticking me
with something long
and pointy, was it?
- No, it's just cotton.
I have a kit in my bag if
you'd like to take a look.
- What happens after that?
- Well, if you match a patient,
we'll contact you to see if
you're still willing to donate.
If you wish to proceed, we'll
ask you about your health
to be sure it's totally safe
for you to donate bone marrow.
Then we'll schedule more
testing to see if you're the
best match for this patient.
Throughout the process,
you'll be one of several
people being tested,
so the chances of being
selected are about one in 12.
- It's like an audition,
except better odds.
I'm an actor, sorta.
- Actor, cool.
I guess it is sort
of like an audition.
Though we're not making
any value judgments
about who you are as a person.
Some people are
just better matches
in specific situations
than others.
- Yeah, I get it.
It's not like someone's
gonna analyze my swab
and say she doesn't have
enough stage presence
to be a bone marrow donor.
- I have definitely never
heard a doctor say that.
- So I can do this
right now if I want to.
- I wasn't planning on
registering anyone today,
but there's no
reason why I can't.
- Then let's do it.
- [Jenna] Hi, I'm Jenna Marelli.
I'm host of the TV show
Wake Up New Milford,
and this is my podcast,
Conscious Capitalism.
Welcome.
And today my guest
is Ray Sweeney,
philanthropist, activist,
founder and owner
of an international
company located right here
in the heart of New Milford.
Hey, Ray.
- [Ray] Hi Jenna,
great to be here.
- [Jenna] I'd like to
know how you decided
to structure your business,
to provide a percentage of...
- Bro, you really need to chill.
We got our whole
lives to work hard.
College isn't the place to--
- Listen, if I don't
work hard right now,
I may never have a
real say in my future.
- [Ray] Always believed
in doing good for others.
- I suppose you have
it all figured out
from your prone position.
- Oh, I do, my friend.
I do. (chuckles)
Got this monster gig at a
fraternity rager this weekend.
You do realize I'm
destined to be a famous DJ
in a few short years, right?
- I hope that's so for your
sake, but maybe you should
consider a safety net just
in case it doesn't work out.
- That is the safety net.
- Really, okay, so
what's plan A then?
- That's between me and
the state lottery. (laughs)
- I worry about you, Randy.
I really, really do.
- You'd be the first.
Of course, you've
got your master plan
all mapped out, right?
- You know I do.
And the internship that I'll
be starting this spring
semester is a big part of that.
- You're gonna nail that.
- I really hope so, man.
From what I hear, if an
intern really just knocks it
out of the park, it's
like a fast track
to a management position.
- Mm, you got this, Kev.
- Not if I don't
keep my grades up.
(notification bell dinging)
- [Ray] But the one that's
most exciting to me now is
we're always looking for
deserving young people who
are interested in business
and community so we can
support their hard work.
You know, after all,
Jenna, they're our future.
And we need to spread
as much kindness
as we can going forward.
- Huh.
- [Jenna] So true, and also...
- Look at that.
- What's going on?
- Rusty Bartlett died.
- Am I supposed to know
who Rusty Bartlett is?
- Rusty Bartlett signed this.
- Allegedly.
- I still don't know
who Rusty Bartlett is.
- There's no reason you should.
He was a second baseman who
had a couple of good years.
My dad sent me this
when he was trying
to winch his way
back into my life.
Idiot didn't even
realize I hated baseball.
(mellow guitar music)
You know, I haven't seen my
old man since I was a toddler?
When I was in middle school,
I actually managed to
track the bum down,
but he gave me a dozen excuses
why he couldn't see me.
Got sick and couldn't travel,
just started a new job.
The list goes on.
I think I told you my
junior year in high school,
he tried to get
together with me.
Baseball was part of that,
but I completely blew him off.
He had his chances, you know?
- Sorry, Randy.
- I don't need you
to apologize, Kev.
You're not the one who didn't
want to hang out with me.
- That's for sure, hanging
out is what we do best.
(somber piano music)
- Now, Rusty Bartlett's dead.
Rusty Bartlett, superstar.
- [Ray] So highlighting how
much we need each other.
- [Jenna] That is so true.
- Gonna put this back.
(somber piano music)
(birds chirping)
(somber piano music)
- [Izzy] I'm glad you're
back on campus, Jess.
- Yeah.
- I've been meaning to
tell you since the funeral
how beautiful the service was.
Your father had so many
people who loved him.
- I know, I mean, more than a
dozen people wanted to speak.
I'm just glad I
wasn't the one who had
to tell my Uncle Charlie
that he didn't make the cut.
- Wait, is that the one who
says "to tell you the truth"
at the beginning
of every sentence?
- Yeah, that's him.
- Your mother made a
good decision. (laughs)
Do you think you're gonna do
a Christmas project this year?
- Oh.
I don't know.
My brother and I
talked about it,
but it's really hard
to think about anything
like that right now.
- Yeah, I get it.
- Yeah.
- Your father would want
you to though, right?
- Yeah.
- What was your
favorite project ever?
- That would have
to be Puppy Palooza.
- Is that the one
with the rescue dogs?
- Yeah.
I think I was around nine.
So Steve must have
been like seven.
And we'd just gotten our
own rescue dog that winter,
and I was obsessed with
her, like really obsessed.
I insisted that she
sleep in my bed,
and I would put
bows in her hair.
I would even dress her up.
- You mean like sweaters?
- Worse.
Tutus.
I know, I know.
So when my dad
started talking to us
about our next
Christmas project,
all I could think
about was puppies.
I mean, my mom would suggest
something about helping people
find jobs, and I'd say
something about puppies.
And my dad would suggest
something about helping
feed the homeless,
and I'd still say something
about puppies, but.
I mean, they finally
got the message
because Puppy Palooza was born.
My dad found a shelter that
was willing to partner with us,
and we connected 50
dogs to low income kids.
And then we went to the pet
supply store and got them
to offer each family a year's
worth of food and toys.
And we went to the pet hospital
and got them to offer
their services for free.
- I can't believe you
got everyone to do this.
- Yeah, well we can be very
persuasive, and you know.
- Puppies.
- Puppies.
Yeah, exactly.
- I hear ya.
- So that November, Steve
and I just spent most
of our time decorating
dog collars.
And my juju idea
was nixed instantly,
which I was not happy about.
I was so mad.
But that Christmas Eve,
we rented out a van,
and Steve and I
stayed in the back
playing with the dogs
as we made deliveries.
It was crazy and wonderful.
And the kids were just so
appreciative, you know?
The only thing
was I found myself
getting a little sad
as the van emptied out,
when there were only
a few puppies left.
And I mentioned how hard it was
gonna be to let them all go.
And you know what my dad said?
- What did he say?
- He said, "Those puppies will
be with you forever, babe.
"They've taken permanent
residence in your heart."
- He was right, Jess.
It's something we
should all remember.
- I know.
I still miss them though.
- And I really miss him.
(gentle instrumental music)
- [Kevin] Light with
two sugars, right?
- Yeah, thanks.
I think I saw something
move over there.
- Randy, isn't in there, is he?
- [Izzy] I don't think so.
- Sometimes I can't tell.
You really think you
saw something move.
- Maybe it was just
my imagination.
I can certainly imagine
something moving in there.
- I've got to get him to
clean up his side of the room.
- Or maybe just seal it off
with plastic or something.
- (chuckles) Yeah,
yeah, that could work.
- I'm worried
about Jesse, Kevin.
- It sounds like
she was just so sad
when you saw her yesterday.
- It's not that.
Of course she's sad, how
could she not be sad?
What got to me was that
she somehow managed
to get the old Jesse out,
but then that Jesse was
crushed by her grief.
When have you ever known
anything to beat Jesse?
- It's gonna be a
tough road for her.
We just have to let her know
that we're gonna be there
for whatever she needs.
- Yeah, whatever she needs.
But you should have seen
her when she was talking
about the puppy thing.
She was so alive.
So Jesse, and then...
Yeah, it's gonna take
her a long time to heal.
A very long time.
But I think it would
help if we could somehow
convince her to do a
Christmas project this year.
- You gotta be careful
with that though.
From what you told
me, the projects just
remind her of her father.
And right now that just brings
her right back to her grief.
- Yeah, I know, I know.
(ringtone ringing)
Hello?
(solemn music)
Yes, it is.
I did?
Yes.
Tomorrow?
Yeah, sure.
What time?
Yeah, that works.
See you then.
That was unexpected.
- Someone leaving
you $1 million?
- Not exactly.
That was the hospital.
I put myself on a bone
marrow donation list,
and they wanna talk to me
about a possible match.
- Whoa, you would do that?
- It's a long shot that
they'd actually pick me.
Hey, don't mention this to
any of the others, okay?
It's probably not
gonna be anything,
but if it is, I'd
like to keep it close.
- I get it.
(cows mooing)
(Christian rock music)
(car door bangs)
(Christian rock music)
He's a gamechanger
Gamechanger, gamechanger
- Kev?
- Dad.
What are you doing here?
(Christian rock music)
- Is this what you do every day?
- I do whatever
they tell me to do.
- When you said you
got a job at a museum,
I was thinking, I don't know,
a gift shop or something.
- It's not a great
time to find work.
I took what I could find.
- Yeah, I know what you mean.
- What are you doing here?
Listen, kiddo, I came
to give you some news,
and I wanted to do it in person.
- What is it, is everyone okay?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, we're all fine.
It's nothing like that.
It's just, I just got laid off,
and with the economy around
here being like it is,
I don't think I'll be
getting a good paying job
in the near future.
- Okay.
That's not great news.
You're gonna find
work in no time.
I promise.
- Kevin, I'm sorry, but
I'm not gonna be able
to pay for your last
semester of college
and still have enough money
to keep the family afloat.
- Oh, well, um.
- You don't know
how much it hurts me
to have to tell you this.
I mean, your aunt thinks she
can scrape up a few bucks,
but it's not gonna be much.
We were always skating on thin
ice with this school anyway.
- If I'm not in school, I can't
do the internship at Apex.
If I don't do the
internship at Apex,
I'm gonna be painting
a lot of walls,
maybe for the rest of my life.
- Kevin, I am so sorry.
- No, no, I know you are, Dad.
- Listen, I gotta
get back to work.
I'm driving people around
to make some extra cash,
and I can't sign
off for too long.
(bells chiming)
But like I said, I did wanna
tell you this in person.
- Yeah.
Yeah, thank you.
I should get back to work too.
I certainly can't afford
to lose this job now.
(tense music)
- I'll call you tomorrow, okay?
- Yeah, yeah.
(tense music)
(clock ticking)
- Thanks for coming
in today, Izzy.
- Of course.
I mean, I thought about making
a run for Mexico, but then.
- Come with me.
I'll walk you through
the procedure.
(clock ticking)
(hands rubbing)
(computer keys clicking)
- You know, I didn't expect
this to happen so quickly.
- Well, in this particular
case, we didn't have a choice.
Did anyone mention that the
recipient is a four year old?
- Four?
No, I just got a call saying
I was a possible match.
And then I got another
call telling me all
about the potential
risks and side effects.
It was like listening to one
of those pharmaceutical ads.
I wasn't terrified
at all by that.
- Yeah, our legal department
makes us say all that stuff.
- Well, you know, if there
was even the tiniest chance
that one of my limbs were going
to spontaneously fall off,
I guess I would want some
advanced warning about that.
- I don't think that's
one of the side effects.
- I know.
I'm sorry if I sound
a little manic.
I'm pretty nervous about this.
- Understood.
Let me tell you something, Izzy.
Giving marrow is a
life saving gift.
You deserve enormous
amount of credit for this.
- Thanks.
I mean, I have the stuff,
I might as well use it.
Sorry, I'm gonna stop
saying stupid things now.
- I would be nervous
too if I were you.
- Does that mean I
should be nervous?
- Let me say that
a different way.
It's completely understandable
that you're nervous,
even though we've done this
procedure hundreds of times.
- Okay, let me have it.
- Okay.
So you'll come in and we're
gonna put you on an IV drip.
Then you'll be put
under anesthesia.
The procedure itself
is completely painless.
- I like the sound of that.
- After you're asleep, the
doctor will take a needle
and withdraw the liquid marrow
from the back of
your pelvic bone.
- That doesn't sound as good.
- Remember, you
are out, all of it.
- Right.
- And that's really it as far
as the procedure's concerned.
Any marrow that we take
out will replace itself
between four to six weeks.
Recovery times vary,
but you should be back
at school within a few days.
- Wow, so within a few days
it'll be like it never happened.
- I didn't say that.
You should expect some soreness
in your lower back for a while.
Most donors report three
weeks for full recovery.
- Oh, three weeks is definitely
longer than a few days.
- It might not be that bad,
but you should be prepared.
- I understand.
So you'll let me know when
you're ready to schedule this?
- We were hoping
to do it on Friday.
- Friday, as in two days Friday?
- This little girl, she's
been waiting for a while,
a dangerously long
while, actually,
which is why we
called you so fast.
You could not have picked a
better time to become a donor.
- Friday?
- If at all possible.
- Can I get back
to you tomorrow?
- Of course.
(sighs) I know this is a
lot to think about, Izzy,
but we are running out of time.
And if you turn us down,
then it's going to be
awfully difficult to find
someone else in the system.
- No pressure, huh?
- I don't mean to
pressure you, Izzy, but...
Well, maybe I do.
- And you're pretty
sure one of my limbs
isn't gonna fall
off spontaneously?
- Almost 100% certain.
We feel His spirit
And the power that
makes a blind man see
- Hey, you up?
- What's wrong?
- Did something happen
at the frat house?
- You mean, besides you
being a total no-show?
- I told you I wasn't
going to your rave.
I've literally
never gone to one.
- Yeah, well, for
what it's worth,
I could have really used
your backup tonight.
- Why, what happened?
- Not gonna believe this.
My dad showed up.
- Your dad?
- One and only.
- I thought you haven't
seen him in years.
- He said he's been
following me on Twitter.
- That's kinda weird.
It doesn't sound awful so far.
- Yeah, well, awful came next.
First he started
talking about wanting
to be back in my life.
Then he started giving
me more excuses.
Then he started throwing
shade at my mom.
And that's when
things got heated.
- How heated?
- He did enough that
I've been restricted
from ever DJing on
school property again.
- What did you do?
- What, thanks for giving me
the benefit of the doubt, man.
Doesn't matter, I'm banned.
Why's this kind of stuff
always happen to me, Kev?
- Trust me, you
really don't wanna
have a lousy day competition
with me right now.
- Oh, what, you have a bad day?
What happened, you got a A-
minus on a test or something?
- You know what, Randy,
you don't have the market
cornered on hardship, okay?
- Whatever, man.
(door bangs)
(mellow rock music)
(utensils clanging)
- [Kevin] What did you do?
- [Randy] Thanks for
giving me the benefit
of the doubt, man.
- [Assisted Living Director]
PowerPoint presentations
aren't necessary because
volunteers aren't
involved in our
daily operations.
- [Kevin's Father] Kevin, I'm
sorry, but I'm not gonna be
able to pay for your
last semester of college.
(somber guitar music)
- [Nurse] This little girl,
she's been waiting for a while.
A dangerously long
while, actually,
which is why we
called you so fast.
(somber guitar music)
(fork clangs)
- I'm thinking about
leaving school.
(somber guitar music)
(dog barking)
- Dear Lord, we need
to have a little talk.
I'm gonna be honest with you.
I'm terrified, and I could
really use a hand here.
I know I shouldn't be
thinking about myself,
we're talking about a
four-year-old girl here,
but the person at the
hospital really scared me.
Between the procedure
and the pain afterwards,
I think I might be a little
out of my league here.
Can we be straight
with each other?
I'm kind of a coward.
I mean, I won't go
on roller coasters.
I won't swim at the
deep end of a pool.
I won't even eat spicy food.
So to have someone stick
a needle in me the size
of a javelin goes a little
outside of my comfort zone.
And then the after effects,
if they're telling
me that I'm gonna
be a little uncomfortable
for a few weeks,
then they probably mean
I'm gonna be uncomfortable
until, I don't know,
Labor Day. (sighs)
But yes, there's
this little girl,
and she's in a lot of trouble,
and it doesn't sound like
she has any other options.
And obviously I'm supposed
to do this, right?
How else can you explain my
being in that same hallway
as the guy looking for donors?
That was a really big sign you
threw in front of
me right there.
And Jesse's dad
made it super clear
that we're supposed
to look for signs.
- But if you could just
give me one more just
to make sure I'm not
misreading things.
(bells chiming)
What is this doing in here?
Oh my Lord
- Good one.
How could I walk without you
Oh my Lord, you've
been by my side
Your love is everywhere
(women whispering)
(door creaking)
- And Mr. Johnson, okay?
All right, great.
Thank you so much.
Ava, what are you doing here?
You didn't come to blow me away
with another PowerPoint
presentation, did you?
- No, no, message received.
- Okay.
- Actually, I'm here
to visit someone I
met the last time I was here.
Mrs. LeCompte.
- Mrs. LeCompte, she's one
of our oldest residents.
How did you meet her?
- She was sitting by
herself in the sunroom.
- She was?
We don't usually
let our residents
sit alone in the sunroom, but.
I'm not sure how
she's doing today.
She has good days and bad days.
You know, it doesn't
help that her family
doesn't visit her very often.
Her children have
retired to Florida.
And her grandchildren are all
over the country, so I mean.
- That's sad.
- Yeah, thank goodness
that they were able
to house her in our community.
Follow me, I'll take you to her.
(hand knocking)
Mrs. LeCompte, I have
someone here to see you.
- Oh, fine.
I was just looking
out the window.
Come on in.
- Mrs. LeCompte, this is Ava.
She said that she saw
you sitting by yourself
in the sunroom the other day.
- Oh no, don't
think so, ngh-ngh.
But it's nice to meet you.
- We actually met
in the sunroom.
- Here, come sit
down next to me.
Look at how that
beautiful, bright blue sky.
It appears that the
good Lord has seen fit
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Mrs. LeCompte has
lived quite a life.
(women laughing)
- Almost two at this point.
Am I supposed to be
at work right now?
Is that why you're here?
You came to fetch me to take
me to my job at the laundry?
- No, Mrs. LeCompte, that's
not why we're here today.
(gentle music)
- It appears that the
good Lord has seen fit
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Sure has.
- Mrs. LeCompte, Ava
needs to get going.
So I'm gonna walk her out.
Are you okay?
- Yeah, I'll be fine.
- It was nice to meet
you, Mrs. LeCompte.
- [Mrs. LeCompte] Bye.
(guests chattering)
- And thank you again so
much for taking the time
out of your busy schedule
to meet with me today.
I really appreciate it.
- Oh, the pleasure's mine.
You know, I'm excited for the
opportunity to get involved.
- And I'm really thrilled
to hear that, sir.
I'll get down to it then.
Here you are.
- Thank you.
- So Mr. Sweeney, I come from
a very humble background.
You could even
say that I grew up
straddling the poverty line,
scraping the money
together to go to college
was a real challenge
for me and my family.
But we managed to make it
happen or, well, we almost did.
I'm sorry.
This isn't about me,
I'm sorry. (chuckles)
(Kevin sighs)
Recently, I've decided
that I would like
to establish a
college scholarship,
enough money for some
poor kid to go to school.
Not a handout, but a hand up.
Now, I know that I've
set a lofty goal here,
but with the right
supports in place,
I'm confident that we can make
a real difference with this.
- You know, I hear
what you're saying.
If I hadn't been lent a
hand when I was coming up,
I'd never be where I am today.
I'm blessed to have the
opportunity to give back.
- I guess I came
to the right place.
- (chuckles) I guess you did.
So let's talk numbers.
What are you
looking for from me?
- So I was hoping that
I could convince you
to commit a donation of $1,000.
(papers rustling)
- Well, you have
clearly put a lot
of thought into this project.
- I have.
- I'm impressed.
- Thank you.
- So I need to
know one last thing
before I give you my decision.
- Okay.
- I need to know
why, at your age,
you're doing all this for
folks you never even met.
- A very wise man
recently told me
that I wasn't doing
enough to spread kindness.
He told me that I'd see a sign
and that would make
my mission clear.
I've gotten my sign and
this is my response.
- Well, it's a good thing
you were paying attention.
- (laughs) It was
hard to miss, sir.
Look, look, look, I know this
is a lot to ask for, but--
- Hello, slow it...
Put my company down
for 5,000 a year.
- Wait, what?
- I'm committing $5,000
annually for five years,
and we can revisit
it at that time.
And if we need to, we
can adjust the amount.
- Mr. Sweeney, I don't
know what to say.
- I think you've said
everything you need to, Kevin.
And can I offer you a
small piece of advice?
- Oh, please do.
- So going forward,
don't sell yourself short
on your sales pitch.
This is a very
good cause, Kevin.
And I have to imagine there'll
be lots more business
leaders, community leaders,
all stepping up to
offer their support.
- Really, you think so?
- Well, if I have my say,
and I will, absolutely.
- Wow, I cannot
thank you enough.
- So a couple minutes ago you
said that you almost made it.
What'd you mean?
- I recently learned that
my family won't be able
to get me through
my last semester.
- Hmm.
- It means that
I'll have to punt
on a huge internship
opportunity,
and I might have to put
off graduation for a while.
- And yet here you
are giving your best
to raise money for other people.
I think that says quite
a bit about you, Kevin.
- I'm definitely not the
smartest man at this table,
but even I realize that there
are a whole lot of folks
out there who have it
much worse off than I do.
Like that wise man said,
"When you see a sign, you
have to pay attention."
(upbeat music)
- Yep.
I think that's something
we both need to remember.
(upbeat music)
Mm.
Come by my office next week,
I'll give you the check.
(Kevin chuckles)
(upbeat music)
(remote clicking)
(remote slapping)
- Either the anesthesia
still hasn't worn off
or this remote is
alien technology.
- It's the remote.
Others have suggested
that our remotes
are in violation of
the Geneva Convention.
How you feeling, Izzy?
- Like I've been stabbed
with a telephone pole.
- That should
change soon enough.
In about an hour or so, you
should only feel like someone
stabbed you with a mailbox post.
(both laughing)
- Oh, you're funny, which I
would normally appreciate.
Right now, not so much.
- Sorry.
I thought you'd wanna
know that the procedure
went extremely well.
- I'm glad to hear that.
When does the girl
get the infusion?
- It's happening right now.
- Wow, you guys do work fast.
Looks like I have some
praying to do, huh?
- Well, she's in good hands,
but your prayers
will be appreciated.
Izzy, I don't want you to
be alarmed by anything,
but some of your numbers aren't
where I'd like them to be.
- Are you looking
at my credit report?
I can explain.
- Well, your sense of
humor hasn't suffered.
But like I said, I don't want
you to be alarmed by anything.
Recovery times vary.
It's just that I'd prefer
to keep you overnight.
- And I shouldn't
be alarmed by this?
- You really shouldn't.
This is a pretty
invasive procedure.
It's just best if we
keep a close eye on you.
(Izzy groans)
Really, Izzy,
I think everything is
going to be totally fine.
- I believe you, doctor.
But if I can't get
this remote to work,
it's gonna be a very long night.
- Well, let me get
Javi on this for you.
(people chattering on TV)
(hand knocking)
(melancholic music)
- [Randy] I had a feeling you'd
be playing hooky today too.
- Yeah, I am.
I mean, it's not like
I'm getting anything
from my classes
right now anyway.
- See, I've been
saying that for years.
(melancholic music)
I just wanted to tell
you that I've also
been thinking about bailing
out of school, Jess.
- Oh, that would be a dumb move.
- What, and for you
it'd be a smart move?
- We're going through
very different
experiences right now, Randy.
I mean, I...
I never imagined
that emotional pain
could feel this
intense, this consuming.
And ever since my dad
died, I've just felt lost,
like I don't even
know who I am anymore.
And school, well, school
just feels pointless
because if I don't
know where I am,
how am I supposed to know
where I should be heading, hmm?
- What do you think your father
would say about that question?
(Jesse whimpers softly)
- No, maybe we're
both dumb for thinking
about quitting school.
- Well, you're dumb
about quitting school.
I'm dumb about everything.
My dad dropped another
bomb on my life, Jess.
He's such a loser.
- Maybe he just doesn't know
how to connect with you.
- It's not that hard.
- Really?
- All right, well,
maybe I make it hard.
Not that he doesn't deserve
everything he gets from me.
- Maybe he's not a monster.
Maybe he just doesn't know
how to do the right thing.
- Yeah, well, I don't know
that I can be that generous.
- I don't know
that you wanna wait
until it's too late
to be that generous.
- You know what, Jess?
You're a lousy friend because
a good friend would just
agree with me no matter how
little sense I was making.
- Okay, yeah, I'll take
that under advisement.
(somber guitar strumming)
You know, I think this
is the longest I've
ever sat in silence
with any of you guys.
What do you think that means?
- Maybe it's a sign that
you're evolving. (gasps)
(bells chiming)
(fingers snapping)
- A sign.
Ugh, why didn't I see it?
- Okay, you lost
me there, Randy.
- Okay, wait, tell me this.
Have you decided on
a Christmas project?
- Yeah, I don't think
that I'm gonna...
- No, no, no, no, yes, you are.
You need this and your
partner needs this.
- My partner?
- Yes, your partner.
That would be me.
Look, I just came up with this
idea, but there's no way I'm
gonna be able to pull
it off by myself.
- Randy, I don't know.
- Hey, your father would
want you to hear me out.
- Really, that's
such a low blow.
Okay, fine, you
have my attention.
- Okay, all right, so...
(Randy speaking softly)
(soft guitar strumming)
(somber music)
- [Girl] Pew, pew, pew, pew!
Poof!
Yeah!
Boom!
(somber music)
Then I start my mission,
the Glorg will rule!
- Shouldn't you be sleeping?
- Can't.
- I know what you mean.
Who are these guys?
- Whoever I want them to be.
Right now, this is Farkle.
She's a super hero.
This is Bletch,
she's the bad guy.
- I never trusted the Glorg.
- You've seen the Glorg?
- I heard you from outside.
So why can't you sleep?
- I got a lot going on lately.
- You want a little company?
- You're a stranger, right?
- Well, yeah, but I'm
harmless, I promise.
I can stay by the
door if you'd like.
- No, I can tell you're okay.
- Thanks.
(somber music)
(Izzy groans)
So I have an idea.
I'm an actor.
- What have you been on?
- Well, I've been on
stage a bunch of times.
- Have you ever
been on television?
- No, no, I haven't.
- YouTube?
- Well, no.
- TikTok?
- Actors do a lot
of different things.
And one of the
things that actors do
is something called improv.
- What's that?
- It's when a bunch of
people tell a story together.
Do you wanna try?
- Sure.
- Okay, so I need a
start to the story.
You wanna give me an idea?
- Alien's eating lunch.
- Alien's eating lunch?
Okay, so in improv, when
you get that situation,
you say, yes and
their waiter doesn't
wanna give them refills
on their neutron juice.
- Thirsty, must have
more neutron juice!
- Sir, the menu clearly
states no more refills!
- Must have more neutron juice!
- I am sorry, Mr. Farkle.
Is my waiter giving
you a hard time?
- Can't survive
without neutron juice!
- I got a call
saying you're killing
your customers again, Bletch.
I'm gonna have to write you up!
(girl giggles)
(laughs) And that's improv.
- That's really fun.
- I'm glad you thought so.
- I'm really tired now.
- You know, Bletch
changed his mind.
He said, when you wake up,
you can have as much
neutron juice as you'd like.
- That's nice.
(upbeat music)
(hand knocking)
- Hey.
Thanks for coming down, Kevin.
I appreciate it.
- Are you kidding, I should
be the one thanking you.
- So how you been?
- I've been okay under
the circumstances.
Better than a lot of
people, I suppose.
- Positive attitude,
I appreciate that.
This is the check for
$5,000 we agreed upon
to fund your
scholarship initiative.
- I cannot thank you
enough, Mr. Sweeney.
Your generosity is going
to make a huge impact
in so many people's lives,
and you're calling other
businesses on my behalf.
It's been a big help.
I think we might be able to
start multiple scholarships
because of this.
- [Mr. Sweeney]
Starting with you.
- What, what, what's this?
- I just selected you
as the first recipient.
- But I, I, I...
- That check will cover
next semester's tuition
along with any incidentals
that you might encounter.
- Incidentals, Mr.
Sweeney, I don't know if--
- Kevin, I can't tell
you how impressed I am
that you started this
charitable initiative
even when you were unsure
about your own future.
- It was the right
thing to do, sir.
- Yes, it was, and a lot of
people don't realize that.
So spread the word,
Kevin, without being
obnoxious about it.
People don't like that.
But people need to
understand the value
of spreading kindness.
- And Jesse's dad talked
about the same thing.
- I wish I'd had a
chance to meet him.
And I'm very glad I had
the chance to meet you.
You know, Kevin, if it
were a different young man
or young woman sitting
across from me,
I'd tell him, "Get out
in the world, earn it.
"Show me I've made
a good investment."
But I don't need to
tell you any of that
because I already know
you're gonna do great
things in this world.
And more importantly,
I know what a good
and decent man you're gonna be.
- I'm honored, sir.
- The honor's mine, son.
(gentle piano music)
(hand knocking)
- Mrs. LeCompte?
- [Mrs. LeCompte] Come in.
- Hello, Mrs. LeCompte.
I'm not sure if you
remember me, but I'm Ava.
Is it okay if I sit
with you for a bit?
- Yeah.
Sit next to me.
I don't know how much
time I have left,
but whatever it is, I'd be
happy to share it with you.
Take a look at that
bright blue sky.
Seems like the good
Lord has decided
to give us another
beautiful day, hasn't he?
- Sure has.
I heard you have
quite a large family.
- Oh, I do. (chuckles)
I do.
I've lived long enough that I
got to meet five generations
of my family.
And I have 40 grandchildren
and great grandchildren.
- [Ava] Wow, that's incredible.
- Yeah.
I didn't get married
till I was 30 years old,
which in those days was
like an old spinster.
We met at the North End Laundry,
right on the bank
of the Tuck River.
And we had five children,
four boys and one girl.
And my poor Robert passed
on from a bad ticker
and left me to take care
of five children by myself.
That wasn't very
considerate of him, was it?
Huh?
- That must have
been a lot of work.
- (laughs) We worked
hard back then,
until the hurricane of '68
that wiped out the laundry.
After that, I just took whatever
odd jobs that I could find.
- That couldn't have been easy.
- Well, I did what I had to do.
And I had four boys who
eventually joined the service.
For years, I had stars
hanging in the front window,
one for each of them while they
were protecting our country.
I didn't have much, but I did
volunteer, like you. (laughs)
Sometimes I even made up
food baskets for the needy.
- I'm sure everyone
appreciated that.
(Mrs. LeCompte laughs)
- My boys stayed safe.
During that period of time,
I joined the American Legion.
And can you believe it?
They made me the
first woman president
of the local AMVETS.
- Really?
Oh, wow.
- Yeah.
Yep.
- You really have lived an
amazing life, Mrs. LeCompte.
- (laughs) If life is an
endurance test, I passed.
But it's not, you know.
- Not what?
- An endurance test.
Life is a never-ending
series of choices.
So choose to be happy
at every chance you can.
- Thanks for that
advice, Mrs. LeCompte.
I will.
- You make sure of that.
- Yes.
- Okay.
- And thank you, I really
enjoyed our conversation today.
- Well, my door is always open.
That is, until the
good Lord decides
to come and take me home.
(soft rock music)
It's the reason
(zipper clattering)
- I'm so happy we caught you.
The front desk didn't
know if you had been
discharged yet or not.
- Yeah, I was just
waiting for the nurse
to finally come
with my wheelchair.
I'm sorry, have we met before?
- No, we haven't met, but
we know you very, very well.
You're the answer
to our prayers.
- I can honestly say no one
has ever told me that before.
- Oh, but you are.
You are.
- Do you need me to
call somebody for you?
- You must think we're lunatics.
We haven't introduced ourselves.
I'm Tracy Baker and this mess
over here is my husband, Don.
- Hi.
- Our daughter, Cameron, was
in serious trouble until,
until you saved her life.
- You're the parents
of the little girl?
Now, I'm gonna start crying.
I've never been able
to see people cry
without crying myself.
I once had a scene on stage,
and I was supposed to play
the heartless villain.
And then one of the other
characters started crying,
and I just broke down.
Not a very convincing villain.
- Cameron told us you
were a great actor.
- How did Cameron
know I was an actor?
Was that a part of
the screening process?
So if I had been an
engineering major,
she would've rejected me?
- She said she met
you last night.
She said she needed more neutron
juice, whatever that means.
- That was Cameron?
- She said she had a
great night's sleep
after playing dolls with you.
- Well, improv,
but she slept well?
- First time in weeks.
She just wasn't sleeping.
It was like those early days
when we first adopted her.
- Then that confirms it.
- I'm sorry?
- I'm not a great actor,
Mr. and Mrs. Baker.
I'm not even a good actor,
but I think I'm pretty
decent at some other things.
(upbeat music)
Thank Cameron for me, okay?
- We came here to thank you.
- Then things turned out
the way they're meant to be.
Praise Jesus, in heaven
Praise Jesus, praise Jesus
- [Cameraman] Jenna, we're
live in three, two, one.
(upbeat news jingle)
- We've come to
what is always one
of my favorite
segments of the year,
our annual Thanksgiving Eve
Christmas tree lighting.
And joining me now as he has
for the past several
years is Ray Sweeney,
one of the area's most
active philanthropists.
- I don't have to tell you this
has been a challenging year.
And I'd guess that for
many of your viewers,
this might have been the
most challenging year
of their lives.
I met a remarkable
group of college seniors
with a very important mission.
And it's a mission I
think we all should adopt.
(bells chiming)
- That mission is to
be kind to others,
to lend others a hand,
to give them a chance to
reach for their own dreams.
- So I came this close to
not graduating college.
- I was horribly frustrated
because I didn't get a
leading role in a play.
- I came to college here
with very big ambitions
and an even bigger
chip on my shoulder.
- My sign was my deadbeat Dad
turning up out of nowhere
to blow up my life.
- Okay?
- But it actually
turned out all right
because it helped me
realize how important it is
to think about others,
not just ourselves.
- I'm working with the hospital
to start a children's theater
workshop for their patients.
- We created a student
scholarship that will go out
to the students who are in
the greatest need and also
show the greatest desire to
contribute to our community.
- I worked with the college
to create a volunteer program
where every week
dozens of students
will visit our senior citizens.
- Our project has been
to launch a program
that helps fathers reconnect
with their children.
Because I learned that an
important part of kindness
is cutting other
people some slack.
- The Christmas projects
that they mentioned
have been a Cabral
family tradition
for before I was even born.
- [Jenna] And to keep that
tradition alive, Jesse,
the city council has voted to
establish a community
resource center
so that others inspired
by the Thursday Night Club
can create their own
Christmas projects.
And Easter projects.
- And flag day projects.
And I don't know,
September 27th projects.
I think we have a mission
to make every day sparkle.
And to do that, we have
to share with each other
and pick each other up and
come together to do something
incredible that we
couldn't do alone.
I mean, how amazing
would that be?
- Hey Jenna,
weren't we supposed to be
lighting that Christmas tree?
(upbeat music)
(soft rock music)
- [Jesse] That Christmas
Eve before we headed home
to our respective families,
we made sure that all
of our kindness projects
were fully operational.
Most important was what happened
on December 26th though.
That afternoon, we
started making plans
on a joint kindness
project for March 1st.
That's National Peanut
Butter Lover's Day
for those of you who don't know.
(soft rock music)
- Hi, I'm Mike Mushaw and
I play a bone marrow donor
registry executive in the
film, The Thursday Night Club,
but I wasn't cast
because I'm an actor.
I was cast because I
donated my bone marrow
to save the life
of a little girl.
It is the most rewarding
thing I have ever done.
Find out more about
bone marrow donation
and how you can
help save a life.
Thank you.
Our God is truth
Our God is love
Our God is everything
He takes the week
and makes him strong
Our God is everything
Our God protects us
Our God's behind us
Our God is beautiful
Our God
Our God
Our God
Our God, our God, our
God, our God, our God
Our God, our God, our
God, our God is Jesus
Our God is love
Our God is everything
Our God is Jesus,
our God is truth
Our God is
everything, oh whoa
Praise Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Our God is truth,
our God is love
Our God is Jesus, praise Him
Our God protects us,
our God's behind us
Our God is Jesus,
oh praise Him
Our God is truth,
our God is love
Our God is Jesus
Our God protects us,
our God's behind us
Our God is Jesus
Our God is Jesus
(gentle piano music)
There's a time to bring
together those who matter
Those we cherish,
those we love
When we celebrate our spirit
And go further, go
beyond, go a love
We all can find
a united mission
And we all can find
an elevated course
The ones that put our
hearts into service
It's the reason